Darren Randolph has been called up to the Ireland squad for his first major tournament after an impressive season for West Ham.

The 29-year-old stopper was handed his first Ireland cap in 2012 and will travel to France this summer with his boyhood hero Shay Given.

The keeper believes the former Newcastle gloveman's experience will be invaluable when the Boys in Green travel to the European Championships next week.

Randolph said: "You are running around the pitch with your mates when you are younger calling out names of different players from different World Cups and European Championships, and it will be surreal to be there myself, involved in one.

"Shay is one of the names, yes. He was around then as well, so he would have been one of them, yes. Not only Irish goalkeepers, but most goalkeepers, he's up there with the top ones.

"It's always good to have any experienced player there, especially someone with his experience. I was reading the programme the other day - 133 caps, or 134 after last night - that's invaluable."

Boss Martin O'Neill has not let any selection decisions slip ahead of the tournament, but the Irish goalkeepers union are used to being in the dark over selection.

"It's how he works. It has been that way since he first came into the job. You go out and train, train hard and we know he's not going to have the team until we get to the changing room," Randolph said.

"Everyone just prepares like you're going to play if you get the nod - and if you don't get the nod, be prepared to come on."